6 Cleaning Tasks You Can't Put Off (For Safety Reasons)

Certain spots in your home need to be cleaned routinely for safety reasons. However, if you’re a busy homeowner, you may not always have time for these very important tasks. Fortunately Thumbtack, a home services app used by millions, makes it easy to find and hire local professionals who specialize in getting things done in and around your home.

Here are six common cleaning tasks that shouldn’t be avoided or delayed if you want to prevent costly damage to your home and possibly your health.

1. Cleaning The Gutters

Gutters are essential for channeling excess rainwater from the roof to designated areas outside the house. Over time, though, gutters can get built up with leaves, sticks and other debris. If rainwater is not draining properly, water can leak through the roof, causing internal and external damage. Water damage can lead to structural issues, which may incur significant expenses. The clogged area can also become a habitat for unwanted pests such as birds, rodents and insects, which could eventually come into your house.

Cleaning your gutters should be done every fall, once the leaves have fallen but before winter weather rolls in. Although some homeowners opt to clean their gutters themselves, it’s a potentially dangerous job that’s best left to a professional gutter cleaning service.

Related: How much does gutter cleaning cost?

2. Removing Lint From Dryer Ducts

Even if you clean out your dryer’s lint trap after every load of laundry, the air duct gets clogged with dust and lint over time. If not regularly cleaned, the heat and lint could cause a house fire.
Your dryer duct should be checked and cleaned at least once a year to avoid this risk and keep the unit running at peak performance. A professional dryer vent cleaner can safely disconnect your dryer from the wall and clean out its duct, usually in just a couple of hours.

3. Cleaning Out Your Fireplace

If regularly used, fireplaces should be cleaned seasonally. Fireplaces that burn wood or prepackaged logs need regular cleaning to remove soot and ash to prevent house fires and keep the air cleaner when they’re in use. Gas and electric fireplaces also need to be cleaned and maintained regularly.

When dealing with fireplaces, it’s best to hire a professional, as the cleaning process can create a mess if not done properly. You’ll also increase the likelihood of a fire if you don’t clean your chimney and fireplace adequately. Chimneys must be professionally swept on an annual basis to help prevent chimney fires.

Related: How much does a chimney sweep cost?

4. Maintaining Your Oven And Stove

Your oven needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained to prevent oven fires. Ovens can fill with grease, grime and food debris over time. This debris, as well as accidental spills on the inside of the oven, can begin to burn and generate a house fire if ignored over time.

Stovetops also need to be cleaned regularly, ideally after every use. Oil can remain on the stovetop after cooking and, if ignited, can cause a serious fire in the home.

Your oven and stovetop also need regular maintenance. The oven’s gas line should be regularly inspected by your local gas company to ensure there aren’t any leaks. And while ovens have self-cleaning settings, they don’t get rid of all the debris.

What’s a homeowner to do? When booking a professional cleaning service, you can request that they focus on your oven. This service may not always be included in standard home cleanings, but it’s essential to preventing oven fires.

5. Removing Mold

Attics, basements and crawl spaces can be cesspools for mold, mildew and water buildup. If left untreated, harmful fungi like black mold, Penicillium and Aspergillus can form. Breathing in air contaminated with mold and mildew can cause health problems, such as coughing, nasal congestion and headaches.

Because of the safety hazards involved, mold removal is always best left to a professional. This person is trained to identify every area where the mold is growing, remove it and recommend actions to prevent further growth.

Related: How much do professional mold removal services cost?

6. Clearing Out Basement And Storage Space Clutter

Basements, attics, and storage spaces are great for keeping Christmas decorations, winter clothes, and other boxes and items you don’t use regularly. Unmanaged, however, they can become breeding grounds for pests like cockroaches, mice and rats. Keeping your storage spaces clear of clutter and regularly maintained avoids the possibility of unwanted pests.
Storage movers can help homeowners organize their space and move out any unneeded items. If there is a pest lurking in these areas, apest control team can come in and eradicate the intruders.

Keep Your Home Clean (And Safe) With Thumbtack

To keep you, your loved ones, and visitors safe, there are key areas of your home that need to be routinely cleaned and maintained. That’s where Thumbtack comes in, connecting busy homeowners with top-rated house cleaning professionals and specialists.

To get started, simply open the Thumbtack app and enter your zip code and your desired service, whether you need a house cleaner, pest control specialist, chimney sweep services or anything in between. You’ll receive a list of the top providers in your area so you can read reviews and compare offerings and rates. Thumbtack makes it easy to connect with a top-rated professional, ask questions and even book them directly through the app.

Ready to tackle your cleaning checklist? Get started on Thumbtack to find home cleaning professionals in your area.

*A note about project costs linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.